CONCORD, N.H. -- The family of Brian Gagnon,
the hiker who was rescued off Mt. Lafayette in Franconia, N.H., on January
22, 2007, has expressed its appreciation by making donations to the search
and rescue community.

"Brian's family demonstrated their deep appreciation
for the searchers' efforts through this donation," said Col. Jeffrey
Gray, Chief of Law Enforcement for the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department.

Gagnon's family donated a total of $3,000 to organizations
that participated in the search effort. The N.H. Fish and Game Department
received $1,000. Through the New Hampshire Outdoor Council, $500 was donated
to each of the four volunteer search and rescue organizations involved
in the effort to locate Gagnon -- the Mountain Rescue Service, Androscoggin
Valley Search and Rescue, Pemigewasset Valley Search and Rescue Team and
the Upper Valley Wilderness Response Team.

A search was initiated for Brian Gagnon on January
20, 2007 and continued for two days until he was eventually located by
search crews while holed up in his sleeping bag awaiting rescue, deep
in the Pemigewasset Wilderness. Gagnon had failed to return from a hike
on Franconia Notch's Mt. Lafayette after he lost his way on the summit
in conditions of dangerously high winds, poor visibility and subzero temperatures.
Gagnon and his hiking companions had turned back to abandon their original
itinerary, but Gagnon became separated from the others and lost his way
in the adverse conditions on the summit. His companions made it safely
to the trailhead, where they requested assistance for Gagnon. Gagnon did
have a subzero-rated sleeping bag, which can be credited with saving his
life until rescuers could find him.

The New Hampshire Fish and Game Department has not
yet completed its investigation and review into the possible reimbursement
by Brian Gagnon for the rescue costs to the Department. This review is
in line with the N.H. Statute that allows the department to seek reimbursement
for situations where an individual recklessly or intentionally creates
a situation requiring an emergency response (RSA 153-A:24).

In presenting the donation, Gagnon's mother, Susan
Dow, stated that she and her family consider the wilderness rescuers to
be their heroes, and gratefully thanked them for their professionalism
and committed efforts to locate Brian.

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For more information about safe winter hiking and mountaineering
in New Hampshire, click to visit www.hikeSafe.com.
The site offers recommended gear lists and safety tips.